Blog
Articles

Our goal is to keep you, your family, and your friends up to date on everything from finance to health care. We strive to help you make the most informed financial decisions to help you achieve financial success, so you can enjoy everything life has to offer. That's what our blog is for!

What the Economy Means for Everyday Families in 2026

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

Retirement Travel: How to Make the Miles and the Money Work

Retirement travel is one of those goals that sounds wonderful right up until the spreadsheet starts whispering. The good news is you do not need a jet-set lifestyle or a trust fund the size of Des Moines to enjoy it; you just need a plan that fits your real life, your real income, and your real-world priorities.

Life Insurance: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Still Matters

Life insurance is one of those things most people know they should understand, but then real life gets in the way. Between groceries, mortgage payments, school schedules, and trying to remember why you walked into the kitchen, it’s easy to put off. But the right life insurance can help protect the people who depend on you and give your family a little breathing room if the unexpected ever happens.

The 2022 Economy: Reasons To Be Positive

Year-end brought a resurgence of COVID-19 panic, led by the onset of the omicron variant in the United States. Families and friends met in large gatherings during the holiday season, the weather got cooler — sending people indoors — and hospitals became overwhelmed with new coronavirus cases.

The Business of Influencing

For centuries there have been leaders in government, companies, churches, and local communities that influence people through their opinions. Then advertisers took advantage of this phenomenon to influence consumers with print advertisements and commercials.

This is Your Brain on Technology

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced that the company is rebranding as “Meta.” The initiative is designed to focus the company’s vision on virtual reality (VR) in the future, through what Zuckerberg refers to as the “metaverse.”

U.S. Health Care in a Post-COVID Era

As many workers returned to their offices this fall, employers took on much of the expense of paying for weekly COVID testing, as well as insurance coverage and paid leave for sick and quarantined workers. These extra expenses may well lead to higher insurance premiums for everyone.

Who Wants To Work?

An important economic driver for America — working consumers — is dwindling. For example, the Denver International Airport recently hosted a concessions job fair to fill around 1,000 openings at the airport for jobs at stores, restaurants, and other businesses.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Categories

Th Top 10 Things to Consider When Preparing For Your Retirement Guide

Top 10 Actions When Preparing For Retirement

Planning for retirement income may seem like a daunting task, but can help you get a handle on preparing for your financial future.

What the Economy Means for Everyday Families in 2026

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

Categories

COVID, Life and Insurance

COVID, Life and Insurance

By mid-January 2022, the United States had recorded more than 865,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Once the vaccine was available in early 2021, life insurance companies expected COVID-related deaths to decline.

Replenish Emergency Funds

Replenish Emergency Funds

Americans have largely been on one of two tracks since the beginning of the pandemic: Those who suffered income and net worth losses and those who gained wealth. A good example of this was the result of relief checks mailed out by the federal government.

Tax Notes

Tax Notes

This year, the official start date for filing 2021 income tax returns was Jan. 24, and the season ends on April 18 for most filers. According to the IRS, the typical period for refunds is three weeks or less. Be aware that you can speed up the process by filing electronically and submitting your direct deposit information.

The 2022 Economy: Reasons To Be Positive

The 2022 Economy: Reasons To Be Positive

Year-end brought a resurgence of COVID-19 panic, led by the onset of the omicron variant in the United States. Families and friends met in large gatherings during the holiday season, the weather got cooler — sending people indoors — and hospitals became overwhelmed with new coronavirus cases.

The Business of Influencing

The Business of Influencing

For centuries there have been leaders in government, companies, churches, and local communities that influence people through their opinions. Then advertisers took advantage of this phenomenon to influence consumers with print advertisements and commercials.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

What the Economy Means for Everyday Families in 2026

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

Categories

What Retirement Means for Men and Women

What Retirement Means for Men and Women

In general, retirement rates have increased during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, the retired population grew by about 1 million retirees per year. But during 2020 and 2021, 3.5 million more people retired

COVID, Life and Insurance

COVID, Life and Insurance

By mid-January 2022, the United States had recorded more than 865,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Once the vaccine was available in early 2021, life insurance companies expected COVID-related deaths to decline.

Replenish Emergency Funds

Replenish Emergency Funds

Americans have largely been on one of two tracks since the beginning of the pandemic: Those who suffered income and net worth losses and those who gained wealth. A good example of this was the result of relief checks mailed out by the federal government.

Tax Notes

Tax Notes

This year, the official start date for filing 2021 income tax returns was Jan. 24, and the season ends on April 18 for most filers. According to the IRS, the typical period for refunds is three weeks or less. Be aware that you can speed up the process by filing electronically and submitting your direct deposit information.

The 2022 Economy: Reasons To Be Positive

The 2022 Economy: Reasons To Be Positive

Year-end brought a resurgence of COVID-19 panic, led by the onset of the omicron variant in the United States. Families and friends met in large gatherings during the holiday season, the weather got cooler — sending people indoors — and hospitals became overwhelmed with new coronavirus cases.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »